Washing machine

ABSTRACT

A washing machine is disclosed. A washing machine includes a cabinet defining an exterior appearance thereof and a detergent storage box detachably installed to the cabinet, the detergent box having transparent appearance for a user to identify the amount of detergent introduced into the washing machine.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a washing machine, more particularly, to a detergent box of a washing machine that has an improved structure.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a washing machine or drum-type washing machine performs washing, with a drum rotatable inside a cabinet repeatedly and a detergent box is provided in an upper portion of a cabinet.

Such a detergent box is configured of a drawer-type typically, with inner space partitioned off into detergent space and fabric softener by a partition wall.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, according to a conventional detergent box having the above structure, detergent that is used in the largest amount happens to interrupt the fabric softener space while being supplied to laundry. As a result, in a rinsing cycle the fabric softener would be introduced into a drum together with the detergent.

In case the fabric softener mixed with the detergent is supplied to the drum, rinsing efficiency would deteriorate and washing efficiency would deteriorate accordingly. Eventually, reliability for the product may deteriorate noticeably and demands for the problem have been increasing.

Technical Solution

To solve the problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that has transparent appearance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine including a detergent box that enables a user to identify the amount of detergent introduced therein precisely and to perform efficient washing accordingly.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine including a detergent box that has variable inner space.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine including a detergent box that is able to guide the amount of detergent introduced into a drum of the washing machine based on the amount of laundry.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a washing machine includes a cabinet defining an exterior appearance thereof; and a detergent storage box detachably installed to the cabinet, the detergent box having transparent appearance for a user to identify the amount of detergent introduced into the washing machine.

The detergent box may include a front panel comprising a handle formed therein, the handle held by the user; and a detergent storage part comprising a partition wall partitioning off storage space where the detergent is introduced and stored.

The detergent storage part may be transparent.

The front panel and the detergent storage part may be transparent.

Inner space of the detergent storage part may be partitioned off into plural inner spaces for detergent for preliminary washing, detergent for washing and fabric softener to be introduced into.

The detergent box may be formed of one of acrylic resin, transparent ABS, poly methyl metal acrylate (PMMA) and styrene acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN) resin.

The partition wall may include a first partition wall and a second partition wall to prevent the detergent for washing or preliminary washing from being introduced into the space for the fabric softener.

The partition wall may further include a third partition wall and a fourth partition wall that are movable horizontally to vary the inner space of each partitioned detergent storage part.

A coupling groove may be formed in an inner surface of the detergent box for the partition wall to be detachable from the detergent storage part.

A cover movable along an upper surface of one of the partitioned inner spaces may be provided in the detergent storage part.

A guide path may be formed in the detergent box to guide the fabric softener toward the inner space for the fabric softener stably.

A seating groove may be formed in a front end of the guide path to seat an opening of a fabric softener container therein.

In another aspect of the present invention, a washing machine includes a cabinet defining an exterior appearance thereof; a detergent box detachable from the cabinet, having transparent appearance for a user to identify the amount of detergent introduced into the detergent box; and a display part installed in a predetermined portion of the detergent box to display the amount of detergent introduced into the detergent box according to the amount of laundry loaded into a drum provided in the cabinet.

The display part may display different colors by using a luminescent diode to represent levels of the laundry amount.

The display part represent may inform levels of the laundry amount of a user by using sound.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

The present invention has following advantageous effects.

As mentioned above, according to the detergent box of the washing machine, the user can identify the amount of detergent introduced into the detergent box precisely. As a result, waste of detergent may be prevented and washing efficiency may be improved.

Furthermore, the detergent box according to the present invention may prevent detergent for washing from being mixed with fabric softener. As a result, rinsing efficiency and product reliability may be improved simultaneously.

A still further, the detergent box according to the present invention may continuously guide the amount of detergent used in washing. As a result, the optimal amount of detergent according to the amount of laundry may be informed of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the disclosure.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a detergent box of a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views illustrating examples of the detergent box according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4 to 7 are longitudinal sectional views illustrating the examples of the detergent box;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a guide path formed in the detergent box of the washing machine;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display part installed in the detergent box of the washing machine; and

FIGS. 10 to 11 are diagrams illustrating operation of the detergent box according to the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the specific embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

In reference to the accompanying drawings, a detergent box of a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a detergent box of a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views illustrating examples of the detergent box according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4 to 7 are longitudinal sectional views illustrating the examples of the detergent box. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a guide path formed in the detergent box of the washing machine. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display part installed in the detergent box of the washing machine. FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating operation of the detergent box according to the present invention.

In reference to FIG. 1, a detergent box 200 of a washing machine according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a detachable drawer type installed in an upper portion of a front surface of a cabinet 100 provided in the washing machine. A housing (not shown) is installed in an inner portion of the cabinet 100 to receive the detergent box 200 when the detergent box 200 moves inward to the cabinet 100. The housing is not a key part of the present invention and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In reference to corresponding drawings, the detergent box will be described in detail.

In reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the detergent box 200 includes a front panel 210 having a handle 212 formed therein with respect to the front surface of the cabinet 100. The handle 212 enables a user to draw the detergent box 200 inward and rearward smoothly.

According to the detergent box 200 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the front panel 210 coupled to a detergent storage part 230 may be selectively transparent. As shown in FIG. 2, the detergent storage part 230 may be transparent and the front panel 210 may be configured of predetermined material and color identical to material and color of the cabinet 100.

In this case, the user recognizes the introduction amount of the detergent and fabric softener introduced into the detergent storage part 230 visually, when the detergent box 200 is drawn outward from the cabinet 100. As a result, over-usage of detergent may be prevented.

In reference to FIG. 3, both of the front panel 210 and the detergent storage part 230 of the detergent box 200 may have transparent appearance. In this case, the user may visually observes or recognizes the amount of the detergent after usage and the detergent having been used at the present, even when the detergent box 200 is drawn backward into the cabinet 100.

The detergent box 200 may be configured of one of acrylic resin, transparent ABS,

Poly Methyl Meta Acrylate (PMMA) and Styrene Acrylonitrile Copolymers (SAN) resin. It is preferable that the detergent box 200 used in the washing machine is formed of material that causes no-contamination and chemical action generated by the detergent and the material is not limited to the above resins.

The detergent storage part of the detergent box will be described.

In reference to FIG. 2, the detergent storage part 230 includes a first detergent storage part 232 defining detergent storage area. The first detergent storage part 232 may be rectangular-shaped in FIG. 2 and it is not limited thereto, changeable in various shapes.

A fabric softener storage part 236 is formed adjacent to the first detergent storage part 232 to store fabric softener therein. A second detergent storage part 234 is formed adjacent to the fabric softener storage part 236 to store detergent used in preliminary washing.

The first and second detergent storage parts 232 and 234 and the fabric softener storage part 236 may include separate hose lines (not shown), respectively, to supply the detergent and fabric softener to the drum stably.

In reference to the corresponding drawing, the partition wall will be described in detail.

In reference to FIG. 3, a partition wall 220 is provided to partition off inner space of the detergent storage part 230 into predetermined spaces and to prevent the detergent of the first and second detergent storage parts 232 and 234 from being introduced into the fabric softener storage part 236.

The partition wall 220 includes first and second partition walls 222 and 224 rotatably provided in both sides of the fabric softener storage part 236, respectively. A hinge 222 a is formed at a lower end of each partition wall 222 and 224 and a cross section of the hinge 222 a is circular-shaped. A hinge coupling groove 200 a is formed in a bottom surface of the detergent box 200 and the hinge 222 a is coupled to the hinge coupling groove 200 a. As shown in an arrow, the first and second partition walls 222 and 224 may be rotatable in a right and left direction.

This structure may be provided to prevent the detergent inside the first and second detergent storage parts 232 and 234 from interrupt the inner space of the fabric softener storage part 236. The first and second partition walls 222 and 224 may be insertedly coupled to the hinge coupling groove 200 a to be detachable smoothly for cleaning after long time usage.

In reference to FIG. 5, a partition wall 200′ according to another embodiment of the present invention may be movable horizontally with respect to the detergent box 200 as necessary. The reason why the partition wall 200′ is movable horizontally with respect to the detergent box 200 is that detergent may be introduced into the neighboring fabric softener storage part 236 or dropped out of the detergent box 200 by mistake when putting a relatively large amount of detergent in the first or second detergent storage part 232 or 234.

That is, the user may adjust an area larger than the storage area of the first detergent storage 232 to prevent the detergent from being introduced into the neighboring second detergent storage part 234 or the fabric softener storage part 236.

Partitioning state of a detergent storage part according to a further embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In reference to FIG. 6, a cover 238 is provided in the detergent box. In the state of the partition wall 220 mentioned above being provided, the cover 238 covering an upper surface of one of the first detergent, second detergent and fabric softener storage parts may be selectively movable.

If the user covers the upper surface of the first detergent, second detergent or fabric softener storage part by the hands, detergent or fabric softener may be introduced into the uncovered area not into the area covered by the cover 238.

In reference to FIG. 7, a partition wall 220 according to a further embodiment of the present invention is installed to a coupling groove 240 to be detachable from the detergent storage part 230. A front end of the partition wall 220 is sliding and securely coupled to an inside of the coupling groove 240.

If the user pulls upward or pushes downward the coupling groove 240, with holding the partition wall 220, the partition wall 220 may be detached or attached from or to the coupling groove 240.

A configuration for supplying fabric softener to the detergent box stably will be described in reference to a corresponding drawing as follows.

In reference to FIG. 8, a guide path 202 is formed in the detergent box 200 to guide fabric softener toward the fabric softener storage part 236. The guide path 202 may be formed between the front panel 210 and a front surface of the detergent storage part 230 and it is not limited thereto.

A seating groove 202 a is formed an end of the guide path 202 and an opening of a fabric softener container is seated in the seating groove 202 a. The other end of the guide path 202 is extended to an inside of the fabric softener storage part 236 from the seating groove 202 a such that the fabric softener drawn via the seating groove 202 a may be guided into the fabric softener storage part 236 stably.

The seating groove 202 a has a semi-circular cross section to seat the opening of the common fabric softener container therein and it is not limited thereto.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry amount is sensed and the user may adjust the optimal amount of the detergent introduced into the detergent box based on the sensed laundry amount.

In reference to FIG. 10, the time taken for the drum 10 to be rotated or the electricity consumed to rotate the drum 10 may be measured to sense the laundry amount.

Different colors are displayed in the display part 300 installed in a predetermined portion of a surface or a predetermined portion adjacent to the detergent box 200 based on the result of the sensed value. This configuration will be described in detail later.

Together with the laundry amount sensing by using the rotation inertia of the drum, the laundry amount loaded into the drum may be sensed by using a load cell.

The load cell 20 measures load applied to a supporting member installed under the cabinet 100 and it transmits a value of the sensed signal to the control part (not shown). The control part (not shown) calculates and determines a value the laundry amount to display the value in the display part 300.

In reference to corresponding drawings, operation of the detergent box for a washing machine according to the present invention will be described.

In reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, once the user closes the door after loading a relatively large amount of laundry into the drum 10 to wash by using the washing machine 1, the taken for the drum to rotate is transmitted to the control part (not shown) and the amount of the laundry at the present is sensed.

The laundry amount may be sensed based on the time taken for the drum to rotate or the load applied to the load cell 20 and the sensed value is transmitted to the control part to sense the current laundry amount in real-time.

In reference to FIG. 9, the control part compares and calculates the sensed laundry amount and displays the amount of detergent which will be introduced into the detergent box 200 in the display part 300.

The display part 300 displays different colors representing the minimum (Min) to the maximum (Max) according to the current amount of laundry. for example, in case of a relatively small amount of current laundry, green color is displayed and in case of a relatively large amount of current laundry is displayed in red such that the user recognize the laundry amount visually and efficiently.

For example, in case of the large amount of current laundry, red color is displayed in the display part 300 displays only to improve visibility. Then, the user identifies the displayed current state and he/she introduces the accurate introduction amount of detergent into the first or second detergent storage part 232 or 234, with recognizing the amount of detergent to be introduced.

The display part may displays different colors or in other methods to inform the laundry amount of the user.

For example, if the user is a blind person, it is difficult for him/her to identify visually and thus the detergent amount according to the laundry amount may be informed by using sound.

For example, in case of the small amount of the laundry, the detergent amount to be introduced may be represented in sound by the measuring spoon or a speaker may output a voice to introduce the small amount of detergent. The speaker may be installed in the front or side surface of the cabinet 100 or any positions enabling the blind user to recognize the detergent amount.

In reference to FIG. 3 or FIG. 11, the user may rotate the first partition wall 222 toward the fabric softener storage part 236 when introducing detergent. The hinge 222 a provided in the lower end of the first partition wall 222 is rotated rightward by the user in a state of being coupled to the hinge coupling groove 200 a and the second partition wall 224 is rotated leftward to cover the upper surface of the fabric softener storage part 236 as shown in the corresponding drawing.

In this state, even if the user introduces much detergent in ‘a’ direction, the detergent may not be supplied to the fabric softener storage part 236.

For example, even if a large amount of detergent is introduced in ‘b’ direction by mistake, the detergent is introduced into the first detergent storage part 232 along an outer surface of the first partition wall to prevent the detergent from being introduced into the fabric softener storage part 236 completely.

Even if detergent is introduced into the second detergent storage part 234, the identical operation of the partition wall 220 may be applicable.

The usage of the partition wall in case of the fabric softener introduction will be described.

In reference to FIG. 8, the user puts the opening (not shown) of the fabric softener container in the seating groove 202 a and in this state the user tilts the fabric softener container containing a large amount of fabric softener to supply the fabric softener to the fabric softener storage part 236.

The user holds and the handle 212 and inserts the detergent box 200 in the cabinet 100, in a state of both detergent and fabric softener being introduced. The other operation is similar to the conventional washing course and the detailed description thereof will be omitted accordingly.

In reference to FIG. 5, the partition wall 220′ according to another embodiment of the present invention is movable in the area between two of the first detergent storage part 232, second detergent storage part 234 and fabric softener storage part 236.

For example, a fourth partition wall 224′ of the partition wall 220′ may enlarge or make narrow an open area of the second detergent storage part 234. According to user convenience the inner space of the detergent storage part 230 may be adjustable variously.

In reference to FIG. 6, the partition wall according to a further embodiment of the present invention adapts the first and second partition walls 222 and 224 mentioned above and it includes the auxiliary cover 238 to cover the upper surface of the first detergent storage part 232 or the fabric softener storage part 236.

According to the detergent box according to the present invention, if a reference laundry amount value is inputted, the detergent amount may be variable according to detergent manufacturers.

The detergent amount is displayed in the display part 300 separately and it may be displayed by the gram (g), together with the representation of the detergent amounts, for example, the minimum amount (Min) and the maximum amount (Max). Alternatively, they may be displayed separately.

For example, in case ‘A’ detergent manufacturer uses 10 kg detergent and ‘B’ detergent manufacturer uses 15 g detergent with respect to 10 Kg of a reference laundry amount, the user may preset corresponding detergent amounts required by ‘A’ and ‘B’ manufacturer according to detergent manufacturers by using an operational panel (not shown) provided in an upper surface of the cabinet 100.

After receiving and memorizing the input detergent amount required ‘A’ and ‘B’ detergent manufacturers, the control part displays to the user which one of ‘A’ and ‘B’ detergents to select on the operational panel.

Here, the detergent amount required by each detergent manufacturer is displayed simultaneously and the user may identify the required detergent amount according to each detergent manufacturer. Alternatively, the detergent manufacturer that uses the minimum amount of detergent is turned on and off on the operational panel or is voiced via the speaker.

In case the user selects the detergent of ‘A’ manufacturer, the required detergent amount is displayed to 10 g in the display part 300. After identifying that, the user starts washing by using the detergent of ‘A’ manufacturer that is the least detergent amount.

As mentioned above, the detergent box of the washing machine according to the present invention allows the user to select the kind of the detergent freely and to select the intensity of the detergent additionally.

For example, if the detergent intensity used in normal washing is set to 1 (one), the density of detergent may be increased for washing laundry with severe contaminants. Then, the display part 300 displays double, treble and quadruple and more times of density to allow the user to select one of them.

In the meanwhile, the detergent box according to the present invention may be applicable to a detergent box of a dishwasher. Specific embodiments applicable to the dishwasher may be omitted and it is preferable that the detergent box may be installed to be well-recognizable visually or auditorily.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet defining an exterior appearance thereof; and a detergent storage box detachably installed to the cabinet, the detergent box having transparent appearance for a user to identify the amount of detergent introduced into the washing machine.
 2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detergent box comprises, a front panel comprising a handle formed therein, the handle held by the user; and a detergent storage part comprising a partition wall partitioning off storage space where the detergent is introduced and stored.
 3. The washing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the detergent storage part is transparent.
 4. The washing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the front panel and the detergent storage part are transparent.
 5. The washing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein inner space of the detergent storage part is partitioned off into plural inner spaces for detergent for preliminary washing, detergent for washing and fabric softener to be introduced into.
 6. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detergent box is formed of one of acrylic resin, transparent ABS, poly methyl metal acrylate (PMMA) and styrene acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN) resin.
 7. The washing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the partition wall comprises a first partition wall and a second partition wall to prevent the detergent for washing or preliminary washing from being introduced into the space for the fabric softener.
 8. The washing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the partition wall further comprises a third partition wall and a fourth partition wall that are movable horizontally to vary the inner space of each partitioned detergent storage part.
 9. The washing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein a coupling groove is formed in an inner surface of the detergent box for the partition wall to be detachable from the detergent storage part.
 10. The washing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein a cover movable along an upper surface of one of the partitioned inner spaces is provided in the detergent storage part.
 11. The washing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein a guide path is formed in the detergent box to guide the fabric softener toward the inner space for the fabric softener stably.
 12. The washing machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein a seating groove is formed in a front end of the guide path to seat an opening of a fabric softener container therein.
 13. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet defining an exterior appearance thereof; a detergent box detachable from the cabinet, having transparent appearance for a user to identify the amount of detergent introduced into the detergent box; and a display part installed in a predetermined portion of the detergent box to display the amount of detergent introduced into the detergent box according to the amount of laundry loaded into a drum provided in the cabinet.
 14. The washing machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the display part displays different colors by using a luminescent diode to represent levels of the laundry amount.
 15. The washing machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the display part represent informs levels of the laundry amount of a user by using sound. 